Trojans’ Kung Selected to All-American Team

Candie Kung, a USC freshman and 1999 Fountain Valley High graduate, was named first-team All-American by the U.S. Golf Coaches Assn. following the 2000 NCAA Championships Saturday in Sunriver, Ore.

Kung, the 2000 Pac-10 individual champion, set USC records for lowest stroke average (72.6) and lowest round (65). She had seven top-five finishes, including four second-place finishes. She tied for 13th at the NCAA championships and finished the season ranked No. 3 in the nation.

CHO BOUNCES BACK

Irene Cho of La Habra, a sophomore at Sunny Hills High, overcame a tough opening round Sunday to win the AJGA tournament Monday at Maumee Bay in Oregon, Ohio.

Cho shot 83 in the first round but rebounded with a tournament-best 73 in the second round to win by three strokes over first-round leader Leslie Wall of Dallas. Priscilla Park of Santa Ana, a sophomore at Villa Park High and the Times’ Orange County girls’ player of the year last fall, shot 90-80--170 to finish fifth.

The tournament is part of a special AJGA series for 14- and 15-year-old players. Cho finished second last month in the AJGA Texas Junior Classic, an AJGA event open to all ages.

BOLLINI WEATHERS ARIZONA

Recently crowned high school champion Nico Bollini of Yorba Linda shot 81-73-75--229 to tie for 31st in the AJGA Thunderbird International, which took place Saturday-Monday at Greyhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Bollini, a Servite High junior who won the Southern Section Individual championship last week, finished 21 strokes behind winner Chan Song Wongluekiet of Bradenton, Fla. (69-68-71).

In the girls’ division, Angela Rho of Fullerton was the top county finisher, shooting 78-71-81--230 to finish 12 shots behind winner Virada Nirapathpongporn of Thailand.

PLAIN TALK

An online golf directory using everyday language and fictitious characters to review golf courses and practice facilities in Southern California will debut Thursday.

The reviews, aimed at 18- to 35-year-olds, will include course conditions, difficulty, food and beverages, customer service and dollar value.

“There are too many puff pieces about golf courses,” said Timothy L. Palmer, president of the company that will run the Internet site. “We will give golfers information that they truly want to know. . . . Let’s face it, golf is expensive and people want to make sure they get their money’s worth.”

The Internet address is: https://www.directoryofgolf.com